Simon - Vocals / Guitar
Harry Wood - Guitar / BVs
Rob Chapman - Keys / Bass / BVs
Dan McGlade - Bass / BVs
Bruce Renshaw - Drums
Rich Stephenson - Keys / BVs
Influences
Guided By Voices
Brendan Benson
The Beatles
Interpol
Rufus Wainwright
Squeeze
XTC
Radiohead
The Who
Jellyfish
Jon Brion
Jeff Buckley
American Music Club
Led Zep
Wilco
The Replacements
At the Drive In
Queen
Formed after an impetuous fit of song-writing one weekend early in 2004, multi instrumentalist / vocalist Simon Bristoll, aka Captain Wilberforce, has come a long way in a short time. Early demo mini-album Dreams of Educated Fleas more than hinted at The Captain's song writing potential: Beat Magazine wrote -"Incredibly confident and accomplished, alluring, evocative and hypnotic, it's a tantalising glimpse of what lies ahead".
The next piece of the puzzle was debut album proper Mindfilming released in April 2005. With it's intricate but instant melodies and articulate lyrics it was universally critically lauded by website / Magazine reviewers from across the globe.
"Mixing rock, folk, and pop conventions with an edgy ease (and doing so in the 16-minutes-a-side whirlwind pace of the '60s vinyl era), Captain Wilberforce crafts darkly beautiful three-minute gems and links generations all at the same time." Amplifier Magazine (USA)
"Explosive guitar dominated power-pop which does not shy away from dramatic multilayered overdubbing and windmill power chords" www.geiger.dk (Denmark)
"Each song is a brightly polished, alluring, fuzzy pop gem waiting to be discovered." www.heathenangel.co.uk (UK)
In January 2006, having played the songs in an acoustic setting for a few months, Captain Wilberforce was nominated for Open Mic Artist of The Year at the Leeds Independent Music Awards. Gigs in Leeds, Birmingham and London followed and in May 2006 The Captain played 2 sell out shows at Liverpool's Cavern Club as part of the International Pop Overthrow Festival.
Captain Wilberforce songs have been played on numerous radio stations throughout Europe and the USA and recently The Fashion Channel (USA) licensed 2 songs from the album to use on their shows.
Everyone Loves a Villain, the new album is released March 9th 2009. Check out 2 of the songs (above). It's already had some excellent reviews:
“If you were to splice the DNA of Squeeze with that of the Guillemots, Burt Bacharach and Lennon and McCartney, this is what you'd likely get, a melody drenched album of superbly arranged intelligent grown up pop, rippling with quality songs that wear their 80s influences without shame but also sound like they were minted tomorrow. There's not a duff track here, but special attention should really be directed at the title track which is both reminiscent of and as good as anything on Sgt Pepper” – netrhythms.co.uk
"The Girl Who Broke Her Own Heart is an aching ballad with string accompaniment. It’s an immediately captivating song, mixing a dramatic verse with a chorus that builds and moves to a great conclusion. This is songwriting on par with Neil Finn, Elvis Costello and Andy Partridge. - HabloEnnui.Blogspot.com
“It's really well done and my mind starts to think of names like Jon Brion, Brendan Benson, Josh Fix, Squeeze, Jason Falkner and Tim Finn. 4 Stars…. A very good album.” – melodic.net
“It’s still grounded in the finest British pop influences e.g. the Beatles, the Who (by way of Guided By Voices), XTC, Barrett, Bowie, Costello, Hitchcock et al. The highlights come thick and fast. Make sure you decide to possess this essential recording.” – powerofpop.com
“It’s really good… and it’s a damned sight better than whatever you’re hearing on your local “modern rock for people with kids” radio station”. – RetroLoFi.com
“'Everybody Loves A Villain' by Captain Wilberforce is a superb piece of British pop-rock that deserves to do well - every minute a pleasure - every inch a winner - tremendous stuff!!” – ToxicPete.co.uk
“I urge you to check out this album, it's one for all you pop kids out there.” – Russellsreviews.co.uk
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Cheers for the kind words Si, I am slowly getting there with my photography. I have only recently bought a Digi so getting to grips with that really! I shall check out your friend's website though- so what have you been up to other than the music? You still working at the Deaf centre? Hope all's well anyway X
Simon, Yeah. I know that mountain well! Also working on writing "new album" and the production also It is so like "One" measure at a time- "one" hour of setting EQ for "one" track!
The funny part is: you just want it done but you know what kind of focus and how much it really takes until you can hold the album in your hand!! Wow!
I am right there. Oh by the way- Your work is in my opinion "better" than my former-fellow Detroiter Brendon B!! He gets hit by a "tire iron" here and then he splits to Nashville- Bye Bye BB!
What were you- What were you Thinnn-kiiiinnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnng ?!?!?!?
Congrats on winning the Musical FA Cup today! Without a doubt, this win, as well as the glowing reviews for "Everyone Loves a Villain" simply reaffirm what I've known since I bought my copy of "Villain" from CD Baby last December. You've created a wonderful and timeless album Simon! An album that will remain in my cache of cherished favorites for the rest of my days. Of course, it goes without saying that there are many other people that feel the same way about this stunning album. Thank you so much!
Advert in the London Times:<br /><br />"Singer Wanted.... Preferably Dead"<br />More information, this Sunday Noon to 2PM EST<br />on ShockPop! at ScrubRadio.com<br /><br />Don't be scared... join us in the Chat Room!<br /><br />~Sparky~<br /><br />
Check out our newest mixtape officially hosted by a Major Artist! Just go to www.coast2coastmixtapes.com to download all the Coast 2 Coast Mixtapes for free! Coast 2 Coast Mixtapes are the most downloaded mixtapes in the world and feature all the newest music from the biggest names in Urban music!
Artists go to www.coast2coastsubmissions.com to submit your music to be considered for the next Coast 2 Coast Mixtape hosted by a Major Artist!
Hello, hope your well.<br /><br />Roo Piggotts giving a talk on “How To Claim Royalties & How To Boost CD Sales” at Factory St. Studios on Saturday 21st March.<br /><br />Roo created the first ever fan funded record label, Alamo Music Ltd. Roo owns his own publishing company, is a signed recording artist himself to Mbira recordings; and has just invented a new version of the barcode called MusiCode, technology for iPhone! We hear he’s working on time travel next!<br /><br />“a lot of musicians don’t realise that if you write and perform your own music you are entitled to claim for backdated royalties from the PRS society” (Alex FSS)<br /><br />“Roo is probably one of the COOLEST, most ROCK & ROLL people on the planet” (Ryan NYC percussionist) <br /><br />It is FREE with brews and biscuits. 1.45pm – 4pm, Saturday 21st March, Factory St. Studios, Unit 9, Factory Street, Bradford, BD4 9NW<br /><br />Visit website for more info and booking: www.factorystreet.co.uk
